For Immediate Release:
August 31, 2015
September is National Passport Awareness Month
County Clerk announces free passport photos on Wednesdays
FREEHOLD, NJ – County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon announced that her office will celebrate National Passport Awareness Month by offering free passport photos every Wednesday in September to passport applicants who apply at the Monmouth County Passport Offices in Freehold and Neptune the same day. 
“Residents who don’t have a U.S. passport should consider applying for their passport now,” said Hanlon. “You never know when you may have to travel on short notice. Residents with U.S. passports should check the expiration date and start the renewal process about two months ahead of time.”
Hanlon also advises people to apply for passports early, well before their planned departure date.
“As many countries require six months validity on a U.S. passport it is important to check your passport’s expiration date now,” said Hanlon.
To obtain a passport, it is necessary to have a certified birth certificate with a raised seal, social security number, a passport photo 2x2 inches in size, and current identification such as a driver's license or government identification. Passport photos are available for a fee of $10 at both locations; the photo fee is waived on Wednesdays in September.
“Every Wednesday this September, the County Clerk’s Passport Offices will waive the passport photo fee when someone applies the same day for a passport,” Hanlon said.
Parents who are making a passport application for a child under the age of 16 are required to appear together or submit additional documentation.
Passport applications are accepted at two Monmouth County Passport Offices:
- Freehold - Monmouth County Clerk’s Office located in the Market Yard (south of Main Street). The hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Neptune - Monmouth County Connection at 3544 Route 66 (near Home Depot) The hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Information about the specific documentation can be found on the County website or by calling the Freehold Passport Office at 732-431-7324 or the Neptune County Connection Passport Office at 732-303-2828.
Hanlon recommends that residents contact the Passport Office prior to appearing at the office to be sure that you have the proper documentation and payments.
For more information, call the Monmouth County Clerk’s office at 732-431-7324 or visit the County website at www.visitmonmouth.com.
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